Kirstone Pass to Patterdale

A perfect winter's day. Ideal for a return to the high fells.

Kirstone Pass to Patterdale via Red Screes, Middle Dodd, Dove Crag, Hart Crag & Fairfield     11.5miles 3000ft                          

Looking down to my start at the Kirkstone Inn from the steep climb

up Red Screes

The view south to a mist covered Windermere 

A panorama view to Windermere, the Coniston fells 

and the Scafell range.  

Zooming in on the Scafell  range

My next path along the ridge to Middle Dodd with the Ullswater

fells in the distance

Surely this should be called 'Heart Tarn' not Scandale Tarn!

(Scandale is behind)

Looking down the eastern leg of the Fairfield Horseshoe walk....

....and the western leg from Hart Crag

Today's highest point. Fairfield summit.

Cofa Pike and St. Sunday Crag, my intended route down to Patterdale. However there was no safe way across this frozen snowfield, not having my crampons with me and a 2000ft drop below!!!

The Helvellyn range also from Fairfield summit

Lunch time in the now warm sun by Grisedale Tarn

Descending Grisedale with a last look back at the snow capped

Dollywagon Pike 

Grasmere to Windermere

Grasmere to Windermere via Jenkyn Crag and Orrest Head 13miles 2350ft

Coniston village had no power or access this morning;  fallen trees and swollen rivers were the legacy of three storms in the last week.

After catching the bus from Windermere to Grasmere village I headed off down the side of the lake with the village now in the distance

Helm Crag and Dunmail Raise 

I then crossed over the River Rothay and followed it to Ambleside

Looking across Rydal Water to the cottages by the main road

Having now collected water from two lakes the river had become

swollen 

It was also very deep as the stepping stones on this path were under 3ft of water

I followed the river around Ambleside and was now looking down on

the open area of Hayes garden centre from the short climb to 

Jenkyn Crag

The view point at Jenkyn Crag

Lunch time looking down on the island in Trout Beck

The view over the Trout Beck Valley to the Bow Fell range while

climbing towards Orrest Head 

Zooming in on the snow topped distant fells

The same view but now a little clearer from Orrest Head view point

above Windermere

Looking into the sun reflecting in Lake Windermere 

Finally a look at the new seating area on Orrest Head 

Devoke Water to Ravenglass

Devoke Water to Ravenglass via Eskdale & Muncaster  11miles 2100ft 

Looking from Birker fell into Upper Eskdale on a cold, grey morning.

Arriving at Devoke Water with Harter Fell & Green Crag now free of cloud on the horizon 

Water Crag and Rough Crag which I'd just come over above 

Devoke Water 

Then the sun came out as I was near the summit of Rowantree How

Zooming in on my next objective Seat How 

above the fisherman's hut

After the climb over Seat How it was a lovely place for a morning

break before leaving Devoke Water

I then started the descent into Eskdale

Looking into Eskdale down Hare Gill

Muncaster Castle was to come later after climbing Muncaster Fell

Crossing the River Esk....

....then up through the woods to.... 

Muncaster Tarn for a late lunch

A public footpath goes through the Muncaster estate 

and passes the castle 

These are the historic remains of Roman Bathhouse 

outside Ravenglass, looks more like a 'mud bath' today 

Bowness on Solway on the west coast & Wallsend on the east coast

were, like Ravenglass, Roman ports and forts and very long way from Rome!  

Finally on Ravenglass seafront with a very wintery, watery sun